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Biomedical subjects

S Czerczak

Publications and source records attributed to S Czerczak.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

The pattern of poisonings with substance of abuse in Poland (1997-1998).

Substances of abuse have been known in many cultures and geographic zones, and they were used for different reasons, from religions up to hedonistic ones. Central Europe, a region of Poland has never been an area of religious use of narcotics, but lately a number of drug abusers is still growing up. The extent of the drug abuse problem in Poland is difficult to assess, because there is no monitoring system, which registers drug abusers. In this study, authors retrospectively analyzed the files of all drug abuse poisoned patients treated in 10 Polish Poison Centres; as well as the files of patients treated in other hospitals, but who were consulted by toxicologists from these units. During the last 10 years the number of patients treated for drug abuse intoxication has grown 10 times. The structure of used substance of abuse has also changed. In the early 90's opiates dominated. In 1997 all groups of drug abuses were noted, from natural or synthetic opiates, cocaine, LSD, amphetamine, up to Cannabis sativa derivatives (THC). We also revealed intoxications with hallucinogenic mushrooms and plant--Datura stramonium. The most common drugs used were opiates and amphetamine. THC were the third. Amphetamine and THC derivatives were the most often sources of intoxication in young people 15-25 years of age. The opiate poisonings were the commonest in young males, 20-40 years old.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

[Exposure to chemical carcinogens in Poland in 1999].

Occupational exposure to chemical carcinogens in Poland, based on the data provided by the Central Register of Carcinogenic Agents, is presented. More than 220,000 employees in 2376 enterprises were exposed to chemical substances, mixtures and technological processes recognized as carcinogenic. The majority of them were present in the three regions (voivodships) of Poland: ślaskim, dolnoślaskim and małopolskim.

Carcinogens, Environmental↗
PubMed1998

[Criteria for classifying chemical substances according to toxicity: carcinogens, irritants, corrosives, allergens, fetotoxins and those absorbed through the skin].

The authors reviewed and presented the criteria used to classify the toxic effects of chemicals such as carcinogenic, irritation, corrosive, allergic, and fetotoxicity, as well as dermal absorption of chemical agents. The criteria for assigning symbols to the Polish list of chemical MAC values has not as yet been determined. Following the analysis it may be concluded that all chemical compounds, which satisfy the requirements should be indexed on the MAC list.

Allergens↗
PubMed1998

[Adaptation of the terminology of chemicals included in the list of maximum allowable concentrations in work environment to the principles which meet the requirements of the IUPAC guidelines].

Significant changes in the terminology of chemicals have been introduced into the updated Maximum Allowable Concentrations (MAC) list in line with the recommendations of the Polish Chemical Society's Chemical Terminology Committee, based on the guidelines of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC), and adapted to the specific characteristic of the Polish language. The names formed according to new principles often differ considerably from the names used heretofore, any may be difficult to identify for the user of the list. In order to facilitate the use of the new list, new principles of the formation of chemical names are presented with special emphasis put on the changes introduced. The main principles of the terminology for chemicals classified in individual classes of inorganic and organic chemical compounds are described and illustrated. Cases which, in the authors' opinion may turn out to be particularly difficult for the users of the list are discussed in detail.

Chemical Industry↗
PubMed1997

Poison Information Service of the Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine in Lódź. Types of toxicological inquiries 1991-1994.

The National Poison Information Centre and the physicians of the Clinic of Acute Poisonings, the Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine in Lódź, provide telephone toxicological information to the medical professions and the general public. The most frequently offered advice was for drugs, pesticides, solvents, corrosives and mixtures. The most frequent drug inquiries concerned tranquillizers, hypnotic and psychotropic drugs. Advice to the public most frequently involved the toxic action and composition of various agents. At present, much effort is devoted at the National Poison Information Centre to develop a system of toxicologic information for the general public.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

The pattern of acute poisonings with pesticides in Poland during the periods 1989-1990 and 1994-1995.

Pesticide constitute a large group of commonly used chemicals with diverse chemical structure and toxicity. They are intended mostly to protect plants and plant products from the activity of various harmful organisms but they can also be used as biocides. Pesticide poisonings may be due to suicidal attempts or accidental ingestion associated with improper storage in unlabelled containers. Severe cases are treated at the regional poison units while others in the in-patient and out-patient clinics all over the country. The study made us draw the conclusion that poisonings with organophosphates and dipyridyl derivatives pose an essential toxicological problem. They are usually severe and require long hospitalisation. The highest morality rate was noted also for the poisonings with organophosphates and dipyridyl derivatives. Suicidal attempts constitute the most frequent cause of the poisonings. The results of the analysis imply a necessity to replace the most harmful organophosphate and dipyridyl pesticides with others of a lower toxicity class. It should be underlined that in order to avoid an accidental misuse, pesticides should be stored in the original, labelled containers.

2,2'-Dipyridyl↗
PubMed1996

The National Poison Information Center in Poland.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the national poison information program in Poland. RESULTS: There are nine regional poison information centers in Poland associated with acute poisoning wards or diagnostic laboratories. The National Poison Information Center in Lodz prepares information materials (ITOX database, books, periodicals, leaflets, posters) on treatment and prevention to regional and other health care units treating acute poisoning cases and to the general public. The staff of the National Poison Information Center together with the physicians of the Clinic of Acute Poisonings provide a 24 h poison information service accessible to health care units, work safety services, and the general public.

Computer Communication Networks↗
PubMed1996

[Analysis of toxicological information rendered by the staff of the National Poison Information Center and physicians at the Clinic of Acute Poisoning of the Institute of Occupational Medicine in Lódź].

The article presents structure of toxicological information given by phone to the physicians involved in treatment of acute poisonings, private persons the services monitoring the working environment. The information comprises data on toxic effect on human organism, chemical composition, therapeutic procedure in acute poisonings as well as the data on hazards occurring in every day life. The consultations chiefly regarded poisonings with drugs, pesticides, alcohols, organic solvents and corrosive substances. The analysis has shown that poisonings of children aged below 14 years pose a significant problem. Moreover, it has been noted that there is a growing demand for toxicological consultations among the general population. They play a significant role in education of the society, making them aware of the hazards created by various chemicals used in the households and occurring in the working environment which contributes to promotion of the poisonings prevention.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Acute poisonings in Poland.

The pattern of adolescent and adult poisonings in Poland is presented on the basis of the data from the regional toxicological centers (in-patient treatment centers). Drugs were the most frequent group of chemical substances, responsible for more than 50% of all admissions for acute poisonings. The second most frequent were alcohols with an increase in poisoning by alcohols to about 20% of total poisonings. Carbon monoxide was the third most frequent cause of poisonings. The percentages of poisonings by pesticides, corrosives and metal compounds have been reduced in recent years. The greatest number of lethal outcomes was also due to poisonings by alcohols, drugs, and carbon monoxide.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1995

[Information sources on carcinogenic agents].

This work comprises lists of publications and computer data bases available at the Scientific Information Department, The Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Lodz, Poland, containing information on cancer risks resulting from exposure to carcinogenic agents. The following publications have been described: IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risk to Humans; Official lists of carcinogens valid in individual countries; a periodical--Survey of compounds which have been tested for carcinogenic activity; a guide--The Annual Report on Carcinogens, a series on Carcinogens in the Occupational Environment, comprising Information Cards and Monographs; a guide on Carcinogenic Agents, and computer databases, including the INCAR, IRIS, IRPTC, RTECS CHEMINFO factual databases and the CANCER-CD, MEDLINE, TOXLINE, NIOSHTIC and MEDIP bibliographic (or reference) databases. The presented publications and databases may prove helpful in searching for data on identifying and preventing the adverse health effects of environmental and occupational exposure to carcinogens.

Carcinogens↗
PubMed1994

The pattern of acute poisonings in Poland.

The pattern of poisonings in Poland is presented on the basis of data for 1988-1991 from the regional toxicology centres. Suicidal attempts constituted the most numerous group of poisonings; in recent years, there has been a downward trend to below 50% of all poisoning cases. Drugs, especially sleep-inducing and psychotropic compounds, constituted the most frequent cause of poisonings and accounted for over 50% of all cases. Alcohols were the second most frequent group of poisoning, about 20% of all cases, followed by gases (including CO) at about 10%, and pesticides responsible for 3%. The mortality rate for all poisonings shows a growing trend, from 1.5% in 1989 to 2.0% in 1991. High mortality rates have been observed in poisonings from Amanita phalloides, ethylene glycol, methanol, pesticides (chiefly dipyridyl derivatives and organophosphorous compounds), metal compounds and corrosive substances.

Humans↗
PubMed1993

[Chemical safety cards as a fundamental information source for chemical exposure].

The Polish version of/International Chemical Safety Cards is based on the translation of the International Chemical Safety Card (ICSC) developed within the International Programme on Chemical Safety (IPCS) in cooperation with and financial support of the Commission of the European Communities (CEC). International Chemical Safety Cards comprise basic information and requirements in the field of chemical safety as well as in/health and environment protection during production, transportation and application stages. Cards are a simple and easy available source of information for control services involved in labour hygiene, technical supervision, industrial health services at lower levels as well as for employers and employees. The cards should be available at each work place and at each work-post.

European Union↗
PubMed1993

Current principles of hygienic standards setting (Part II).

The paper presents general principles of setting the hygienic standards for substances of threshold effect and nonthreshold agents. The authors introduced the mathematical models used for quantitative risk assessment and models for assessment of the dose-response relationship according to the physiological principles.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Occupational exposure standards. Historical outline and present state.

The paper presents the history of hygienic standards setting in various countries, as well as the current situation in this respect. Methodological approaches to hygienic standards setting in the USA and USSR have been analysed and compared. The paper shows also the contribution of international organizations to unification of both the definition and the approach to MAC setting. The authors present systems of MAC setting in such countries as USA (ACGIH, NIOSH, OSHA), former USSR, Germany, Scandinavian countries, Hungary and Poland. The paper comprises also classification of substances and carcinogenic agents adopted by IARC as well as the classifications in those countries which publish lists of carcinogens.

Carcinogenicity Tests↗
PubMed1993

Current principles of hygienic standards setting. Part I.

A critical analysis of the present situation with respect to hygienic standard setting is presented. The authors introduce requirements for developing scientifically based exposure limits for chemicals as well as differences between documentation of recommended exposure limits for the agents occurring in the working environment and in the communal environmental medicine.

Documentation↗
PubMed1993

[Death rate in acute poisonings].

The analysis of death rate, based on data for the years 1989-1990, obtained from nine regional centres of clinical toxicology, is reported. A high death rate is observed in poisonings with toxic mushroom (Amanita phalloides), ethylene glycol, methyl, alcohol, pesticides, corrosive substances and metabolic compounds. As to pesticides the highest death rate is produced by poisonings with dipyridyl derivatives and organophosphorous compounds. A low death rate is observed in the case of poisonings with drugs.

Humans↗